Interview with Bianca Barnett

Bianca Barnett is one of a kind. Beautiful, out-spoken, intelligent and awesome. She grew up in Texas where her father, who created a horror and sci-fi model company, introduced her to the genre. She would haunt the local video rental store in search of the newest horror release and one of her favorite films as a child was Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” which she watched many times.

Starting out as a model, Bianca caused a stir with her sultry and sexy looks. Her big brown eyes, and perfect pouty lips made her the photographers favorite. While she was very good at modeling she soon took a chance and accepted the role as “Pig Bitch” in the horror film, Albino Farm. Her performance was noticed and she was offered many diverse roles such as the drug addled model in Ramzi Abed’s “In a Spiral State“ to the scream queen in Emily Hagins’ “My Sucky Teen Romance”.

What makes Bianca a cut above the rest is her style, attitude, versatility and toughness. Never the one to quit she wore five pounds of prosthetic makeup in “Albino Farm” while doing her own stunts. She also is a phenomenal business woman who cares about her image and her fans, always willing to go the extra mile to connect with them. She recently won a 2011 Golden Cob Award for Best Rising B Movie Actress, which had over 14,000 votes from fans all over the world.

Bianca, It is a sincere pleasure to talk to you. I know you are currently busy fine tuning your acting skills. What types of roles would you like to land in the future?

Thank you for having me! Honestly, I am open to any interesting or unique roles that come along. I would love to work on a studio film or one that makes it to a prestigious festival. I love working in horror, but I also want to explore different genres like action, drama, and even comedy.

Most of your fans know you from your horror roles as a “scream queen” which you have worked very hard to build your reputation in. You must be very proud of your accomplishments. How did you feel when you won the Golden Cob Award.

I love my fans and all the support and positivity they give me. I was so honored to win the Golden Cob Award in 2011! It was truly a highlight for me and I am very thankful.

Your father and his business had a direct influence on your love of the genre growing up. Was watching horror movies encouraged in your household?

Actually, my father’s business, Lunar Models, centered almost solely on science fiction model kits as well as small dinosaurs that he sculpted. My parents were huge sci/fi fans, but I was always more fascinated by scary films and spooky books. I am not exactly sure when it started, but I could not have been older than 10 when I began watching horror regularly.

I understand by the end of filming “Albino Farm” the combination of the makeup, prosthetics and physical exhaustion had made you quite sick yet you still love acting in such demanding roles. What is it you love about the characters you play?

I view Albino Farm as a sort of trial by fire though I am happy I was in the film because it brought many opportunities my way. It was a very trying experience but it prepared me for future roles. I learned just how much hard work goes into making a movie.

I love putting a lot of thought and detail into the parts I play. After I read the script, I begin to imagine what my character will look like and start creating her personality and psyche layer by layer. I hope that future roles will give me the opportunity to explore different individuals. Every time I work on a picture, I learn something new.

There are many low-budget horror films being made today because digital film making techniques have made it so inexpensive. Do you feel it is a good thing?

Digital movie making is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it has made film making much more accessible to people all over the country. On the other hand, the market has become flooded with movies and it has become harder to distinguish serious offers from amateurs.

Certainly some make the transition from B-movies to more mainstream films.  Bruce Campbell for instance. Do you think it is easier for women than men?

Bruce Campbell is great, I need to read his book! As far as making the transition from B-movies to mainstream, I think it depends on the performer, their connections, and just plain luck. I hope to make that transition soon so I can work more often on higher profile pictures.

How do you pick and choose the roles you want to play? 

Right now there are many factors that determine what projects I will work on. Of course, pay and budget is important, but it is not the most important aspect. I also look at the quality of the script and characters, the director’s prior work, how professional the project is, and whether or not I think the film will reach a wide audience.

Aside from acting you also model. What types of modeling do you prefer to do?

Now I see modeling as a fun hobby. I love getting dressed up and playing with hair styles and makeup. I have become very selective over the years about who I work with because I have strong opinions about the image I want to portray. I also want the rights to photos I am in because I use them so often for interviews and merchandise. I have definitely become more of a control freak over the years. There is a reason I don’t have 50 credits to my resume. Initially I was so eager to work, I said “yes” to every movie that came along, but now I want to work solely on projects I believe in.

You have been compared to various other actresses such as Angelina Jolie and Marisa Tomei but I think your look is very unique. You look like you. What do you feel is special about your look?

Thank you, they are both very beautiful women. I cannot take credit for how I look but I love that I resemble both of my parents. I have a sort of ambiguous ethnicity even though I am just an American “mutt.” I am not sure what people find special about me, but I truly appreciate that they think I am attractive. Maybe what people “see” in me is actually a reflection of my conflicted soul and a combination of strength and fragility.  The more honest I am about myself, the more people gravitate toward me. Perhaps they like knowing that my life is not perfect and I face many struggles and have insecurities, just like everyone else.

There are a number of very popular shows in the Horror genre including “The Walking Dead”, “Supernatural” and even “Grimm”. What do you think about horror on television and are you a fan of any particular shows? Would you consider doing television as well?

I love that horror movies, books, and television shows are popular! I would definitely love to do a show along those lines. I was completely hooked on last season’s “American Horror Story.” It is rare that I watch TV series like that because I get so involved, but I don’t have the time to keep up with them.

One thing I do admire about you is your use of social media and the internet to promote yourself. It is a lot of work. How much time and effort do you think it has taken to have gotten yourself to where you are today?

Thank you! It takes a tremendous amount of time and effort behind the scenes of my acting career. I am also enrolled as a full-time college student with a 4.0 GPA (yes, I am a perfectionist). Honestly, I look forward to the day when I have other people who can manage that part and I can just focus on acting and doing interviews and conventions. So far I have not found people professional enough to bring my career to the next level, but I want that to change this year.

Many times I delete blog entries that I make because I worry that people will think that I am completely morose all of the time. Or that I am some drug addict that just sits around and whines all day about the injustice, stigma, and tribulation of addiction. The truth is, I have an effervescent personality and have been proudly clean for many years, but if something emotionally stirs or irks me I feel a manic desire to purge it from my mind. Writing allows me a healthy catharsis, but if I am not feeling inspired, it quickly feels tedious. I do not do well with tedious, so I do not plan on solely penning anything soon. Then again, I will probably change my mind as I tend to do that often.

I get bored easily, which is why I love acting and reinventing myself.

In addition to being very professional and knowledgeable in the horror genre, you have an outstanding blog on your website where you say exactly what is on your mind. Have you ever considered writing?

Again, thank you! Last semester I was invited into a prestigious English honor society which apparently less than 1% of college students qualify for. I was really proud of that yet found it ironic because writing is not my favorite pastime. I am burnt out because I write an endless amount of essays and papers for school and then come home to write interviews and emails for work. My social life really suffers.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to start in an acting career?

Start out with acting classes at school or a local theater. If you can, I suggest doing background acting (extra work) at least a few times so you can understand how a professional film or television production works. Many people decide they do not want to pursue acting after they realize just how much waiting around occurs. “Hurry up and wait” is a very popular saying in the business for a reason. Your call time might be 5 AM but you will not start working for several hours and you will not leave set for about 10-12 hours.

It is important to network and make connections with people who have similar interests. Be respectful, work hard, do only what you are comfortable doing, and have fun. Be patient yet diligent and things will work out.

Where can your fans keep updated?

http://www.biancabarnett.com

http://www.facebook.com/Bianca.A.Barnett

http://www.myspace.com/bianca-barnett

http://www.twitter.com/biancabarnett

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